OK, ‘cross fans! Bike 1 is done! The BCS crew helped with this first 2010 Ridley X-Night like a true team. Mike D on the tire gluing, Dwayne on the main build and Jeremiah on the finish, carbon cutting, etc. All said and done: 17.01 lbs! Boing! Awesome and an absolutely perfect fit. The team did a phenomenal job. Bike 2 is waiting in the wings for its build. Double boing!

A close up of the seat mast hardware. I cut roughly 40mm of carbon. The hardware you see here comes with a set of shims of varying thickness to dial in the height exactly right. And if the need to sell the bike is required, you can essentially use these shims to build back ‘up’ all the carbon you may have cut off.

SRAM Red levers and TRP EuroX Magnesium brakes.

This is the K-Edge chain watcher. Pretty ingenious device. More reports later after I have time with it under fire. Note that it is mounted to a Shimano braze on clamp adapter.

Reader Comments (9)

Yeah. I started using a 42t in 2003 in CA but find (maybe I'm getting older ha!) that I need gears to help me spin up faster and gears which help me power flats a bit better. So, I'm going to go back to the 46 x 39. The single ring set up when done right is bombproof. I never dropped a chain on the single ring set up. I used dual guides though which I think is the trick. Hopefully teh K-Edge guard does me justice on this double ring set up!

Sweet Looking bike ! I too went back to the double set up after using a double guard for the last few years. With a short chain it was super reliable in all but the nastiest mud, where it tended to pack between the guards and not let the chain engage the teeth fully. I've been happy the last two seasons on a 44/39 combo, which I used before I ever tried the single.

Can you help me out with some input? I just sold my cross bike and going to upgrade. I have a around $850 to 950 budget. I'm trying to get Competitive Cycle to match a ebay price of $825 for the x fire from Barons800 (don't have my size). So that is my first choose. Competitive also has Super Cross's left over new that I'm seeing what price I can get them for (hoping for $750). Also there is the X Ride that can be had for $950. Also the team I ride for has Cannondales...I just came off one of those and want something fresh. I do feel like I should support my local shop...so I have the guilty feelings as well. If you have any comments that would be great. Help!!!

Truth: Support your LBS! Do NOT get me wrong...the Ridley's are insanely sweet. Like a dream. But this said, they'd not even be in my stable without the support of my Local Bike Shop. They are going to be there for you (assuming you have chosen the right shop!). You need to develop those relationships and support them when you can. Cannondale's are sweet. My bro Timmy J can't complain with National Championships and multiple GP wins on them. Sick light and stiff. So ultimately all of this comes down to community: yo, your shop, the trust and relationships you build. Sweet bikes you acquire are those that have a story. Remember that.

glorious Greg! nice balance of black and white (love the white hoods), but not too much white (like the black seat and bar tape). hopefully I can keep you in sight some this fall!

Just scoured VN (via Lijit) and saw an article Zinn posted that says you can use Campy levers with SRAM derailleurs, as they both pull almost the exact same amount of cable. So for people like me with Campy-equipped bikes wanting to use Shimano-compatible wheels, all I need to get is a SRAM rear derailleur and SRAM/Shimano cassette & chain. I'll prob go 2 rings this year anyway (in part b/c you are), prob the 38/46 SRAM Force combo they offer now.